Singin' in the Shtetl

submitted by: David Minkoff

Joseph is thrilled to be taking Bracha, his 95-year-old mother to see the hit show, "Fiddler on the Roof." He's excited not only because Bracha hasn't seen it before, but also because she came to America in the late 1930s from one of the many Anatevka-like Russian shtetls.

Not only does Joseph book the most expensive seats in the theatre, but he also buys Bracha some fancy new clothes to wear. And on the night of the show, he even orders a stretch limo to take them there and back. He wants it to be a memorable evening and doesn't want to leave anything to chance.

On the night of the show, they arrive in style, take their seats and watch the performance. As soon as the final curtain comes down, Joseph asks Bracha,

"Well Mom, what did you think of the show? Be honest. Did it bring back any memories for you?"

Bracha sits there for a while, then turns to Joseph and gives both a nod and a shrug. "Yes bubbeleh, it did," she replies, "but I really don't remember that much singing."